With 1321 runs he is just behind VVS Laxman, who scored 1415 in the 1999-2000 season.

IMAGE: Mumbai batsman Shreyas Iyer acknowledges the applause from the crowd after scoring a century in the Ranji Trophy final against Saurashtra, in Pune, on Thursday. Photograph: Facebook.

Shreyas Iyer scored a fine century to enable Mumbai take the first innings lead against Saurashtra on the second day of the five-day Ranji Trophy final, in Pune, on Thursday.

The 21-year-old, who registered his sixth first-class century while scoring 117 off 142 balls, that included 15 boundaries and two sixes, single-handedly guided Mumbai to 262 for 8 off 66 overs, in reply to Saurashtra’s 235 all out.

In the process, he became the highest run-getter in a season for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy history.

The left-arm pace duo of Hardik Rathod (3-44) and Jaydev Unadkat (2-55) shared five wickets between them, while right-arm fast bowler Chirag Jani chipped in with 2-46, as Saurashtra did well late in the day to restrict the 40-time champions’ lead to 27 runs.

Earlier, resuming at the overnight score of 192 for 8, Saurashtra added 43 vital runs to finish with 235, off 93.2 overs, in their first innings.